# Scene V explained — The Two Noble Kinsmen

> Chapter companion for The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Gerrold and a group of countrymen prepare a Morris dance for Theseus and his party, but one of their female dancers fails to appear. The Gaoler's Daughter, now mad, arrives and joins the dance, which is performed for the duke and his companions. Theseus rewards them and they depart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Artifice

The contrast between the natural forest setting and the artificial, rehearsed Morris dance highlights the tension between raw nature and human-made order.

### Love and Madness

The Gaoler's Daughter's madness, stemming from her love for Palamon, is displayed through her erratic behavior and song during the dance.

## Character check-ins

### Gerrold

The schoolmaster organizing the Morris dance, frustrated with his troupe's lack of preparation.

### Daughter

The Gaoler's Daughter, now mad, joins the Morris dance and sings a fragment of a song.

### Theseus

Arrives with his hunting party and watches the Morris dance, rewarding the performers.

### Emilia

Present with Theseus, she praises the dance as excellent.

### Hippolyta

Present with Theseus, she says she was never so pleased.

### Pirithous

Accompanies Theseus and gives money to the performers.

## Key lines

> Fie, fie! What tediosity and disensanity Is here among ye!

Shame, shame! What tediousness and madness is here among you!

_Gerrold scolds the countrymen for their lack of understanding._

> There's a dainty mad woman, master, Come i' the nick; as mad as a March hare

There's a fine mad woman, master, arrived just in time; as mad as a March hare.

_The Third Countryman comments on the Gaoler's Daughter's timely and mad appearance._

> I can tell your fortune: You are a fool. Tell ten. I've pos'd him. Buzz!

I can tell your fortune: you are a fool. Count to ten. I've stumped him. Buzz!

_The Gaoler's Daughter mockingly tells Gerrold's fortune, calling him a fool._

> May the stag thou hunt'st stand long, And thy dogs be swift and strong!

May the stag you hunt stand long, and your dogs be swift and strong!

_Gerrold blesses Theseus's hunt as the duke departs._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters